Meghan markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has always been a fashion icon, captivating audiences with her unique blend of elegance and modernity. As she prepares to return to Great Britain after six years in California, the world wonders how her style will adapt to her new surroundings.
The Duchess of Sussex has enjoyed the freedoms of her non-working royal wardrobe, embracing the relaxed, LA style reminiscent of her former life as a Hollywood actor. Her early sightings in the Golden State showcased her cool, boxy Loro Piana tailoring and casual, pared-back glam in Jane Birkin-esque crisp-shirt-and-jeans combos. She also stepped up her red carpet game in Oscar-worthy glam from US-born labels such as Harbison Studio and Carolina Herrera.
The Duchess’s British Elegance
When Meghan Markle first joined the royal family, her wardrobe was filled with feather- and net-plumed perchers, caped gowns, and tartan coats. Her style was quintessentially British, championing designers like Victoria Beckham, Erdem, and Givenchy. Notable moments include the sequin-floral embroidered Erdem dresscoat ensemble worn to a reception at Canada House in 2019 and the ecru-toned, cape-shoulder design donned for her first outing with Queen Elizabeth II.
Her maternity ensembles when pregnant with Prince Archie were nothing short of spectacular: cradling her burgeoning bump in a midnight-hued one-shoulder gown on stage at the Fashion Awards, stacking Pippa Small bangles on her wrist in 2018, and slipping into divinely draped Dior during the 2019 Morocco tour. Poignantly, the outfit chosen when returning to London for the late monarch’s funeral in 2026—a black Stella McCartney dress, a Stephen Jones for Dior hat and elbow-length opera gloves—was captivating, considered, and concise.
The Montecito Influence
Ensconced in their cozy Montecito mansion, the Sussexes have been living the American dream. Meghan’s style has evolved to include whimsical dressing, with chintz-printed modern tea dresses, color-pop cashmere pairings, and meticulously pulled-back waves. Her back garden pantry set to soon look more potatoes-and-carrots than homegrown orange orchard, will the Duchess keep the all-Americana, Netflix-y glimmer and gloss? Or will she transform, chameleon-like back to her celebrated, stately Great British-chic?
Now, having stepped back from royal duty, when Meghan does arrive later this month there is no obligation for her to keep her skirt length strictly just above the knee, her nails in a ballet slipper-nude, or to place an heirloom tiara atop her head. But will she still adopt the pomp and pageantry that looked so good when she was officially part of the fold? We’ll have to wait and see.
The Future of Meghan’s Style
The starkest warning is for the other mums at the gates of whichever establishment the couple have chosen for young Archie and Lilibet: the school run style stakes just got way more competitive. As Meghan Markle prepares to return to Great Britain, the fashion world eagerly awaits her next style evolution.
